Taiko’s origin is in debate, but most scholars agree that the style was developed between 1,600-2,000 years ago. Traditionally, taiko was performed during wars and Buddhist ceremonies, but today’s taiko has a modern twist, often including contemporary influences like jazz, rock and hip hop into their performances. This transition began after World War II in no small part to jazz drummer, Oguchi Daihachi.American-based taiko group, TAIKO PROJECT exemplifies how these influences harmoniously blend together:

To learn this fusion of rhythm and dance, there are four fundamentals to practice: grip, stance, strike, rhythm. Below is a brief introduction to the art of taiko.

1. Grip – With the bachi (stick) laying on the ground, How you hold your bachi is very important. Your grip needs to be loose enough that the bachi can move, but firm enough that you don’t drop it. To get the right grip, lay your bachi on the ground in front of you, then pick them up again with your fingers together and your first finger and thumb forming a V. Grasp the bachi at about a quarter of the way up. Wrap your fingers around the bachi and push your first finger a little higher up the stick – this helps with your control. Always make sure the V is on top. When you strike you should be able to hear the bachi hitting against your palm; don’t make a fist.

2. Stance – Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Your knees should be bent, to allow you to move about as you play. Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed and down – remember that they shouldn’t rise when you strike. Your arms should follow a gentle curve with your bachi ending up resting above the centre of the drum. One analogy is holding a basket of rice.  Finally, stand with a comfortable distance between you and the drum, not too much of a stretch and not too cramped. You should be just able to reach the middle.

3. Strike – The tip of your bachi should roughly describe a circle, or an inverted teardrop, the narrow end being at the drumskin and the round end being the apex of your strike. Your elbow should not go backwards and forwards at all, only up and down, with the circular movement coming only from your forearm.

As with many things, it’s all in the wrist. Keep it loose as your bachi comes down, then tighten it quickly as you hit the drum. To use another analogy, it’s like gently flicking paint off a paintbrush. Most of the energy used in striking the drum is in the form of lifting the bachi and the final flick at the end. Don’t force the bachi down – let gravity do the work. You can then use the bounce off the drum to get the bachi back up for the next strike. By keeping this in mind, you use less energy and can drum for longer without getting too tired. The final point to remember is don’t leave the tip of your bachi on the drumskin after you hit. This deadens the sound, and then what’s the point of playing great big drums?

4. Basic rhythms – There are three basic rhythms that I’ll mention here: san doko, doko doko and don ko.  These words are kuchi-showa, a phonetic system used to describe the sound made by the drum.

San doko – This is the rhythm most commonly played on shime, a small drum used to count time. San is a crotchet beat, or quarter beat, and doko is two quavers, or eighth beats. In other words, there are two doko beats for one san beat. It is played as right right-left.

Doko doko – Two quaver or eighth notes, played in progression.

Don ko – A “swung” beat. The don is given heavier weighting than the ko. This is used for songs with a jazzier feel.

Now that you have the basics, start planning your taiko lesson!

Photo credits: Women playing taiko

Taiko how to’s from Wikihow

Photo credits: Amsterdam International Fashion Week, Peter Stigter; Portland Fashion Week, badlyricpolice; Tokyo Fashion Show, dat

We spent our time in Tokyo exploring all the districts. I was shocked by how many “downtowns” Tokyo has. All areas of the city are constantly buzzing with activity at all hours of the day and night. Even more surprising is how clean the city is. I think my favorite spots in Tokyo were the Meiji Shrine, the Tokyo Tower, the Asakusa district, Harajuku, and the Sumida River waterfront. At the Meiji Shrine, we saw several traditional Shinto weddings, and I was in awe by the beauty of the brides’ kimonos. From the top of the Tokyo Tower we were treated to a 360-degree view of the city, and got some perspective on the city’s density.

Both Asakusa and Harajuku are great areas for walking. A type of promenade in Asakusa leads to the Sensoji Temple, and it is lined with small vendors selling souvenirs and traditional Japanese treats. We went to Harajuku on a Sunday afternoon, and it’s a good thing we did! On Sundays, young people head out to Harajuku dressed as rockabillys, anime characters, and Goths. It was really cool to see a bunch of teens dressed up in elaborate costumes when it wasn’t Halloween. Another bizarre and unique thing we did was go to a cat café; meaning a café filled with cats for people to hang out with. Crazy!

Kyoto had a completely different feel from Tokyo. It’s what you envision when you close your eyes and think of traditional Japan. We stayed in a traditional Japanese inn and got to couch surf as well. The best sites in Kyoto were the Sanjusangen-do Temple that houses 1000 Kannon statues, Nijo Castle, the Pontocho neighborhood along the water front, Gion, and the Inari Shrine. While walking through Gion, we saw a geisha that was beautiful beyond belief. Her dress, hair, and make-up were unbelievably elaborate-much more stunning than I could have ever imagined.

Our couch surfing host lived around the corner from Inari Shrine. The main shrine sits at the base of Mt. Inari, but there are thousands of smaller shrines along a trail that circles the mountain. In addition to the shrines, the trail is completely lined with torii gates. Their size, quantity, and beauty did not cease to impress us even after walking under the last one. It was amazing.

Our last stop was Hiroshima, and we were impressed by the liveliness and beauty of the city, especially considering what happened there 65 years ago. We first stopped at the Peace Museum and Peace Memorial Park, where we learned a considerable amount about what happened the day of the atomic bombing. We walked around the sobering memorials dedicated to victims of the event. It was an inspiring place.

From Hiroshima we took a ferry to the island of Miyajima where we were greeted by a herd of deer running about while trying to snag food from onlookers. Miyajima is famous for the O’torii gate that appears to float on the water. The gate was especially beautiful when the sun was setting on the island. We hiked up Mt. Misen, which gave us a stunning view of the ocean and surrounding islands.

Besides all the great sight-seeing experiences, we also had excellent food experiences. The food in Japan is so delicious! We had our fair share of sushi, especially in Tokyo. We ate at several “floating” sushi bars in Tokyo. We were also lucky enough to have sushi at the Tsukiji Market. In Tokyo, we ate at a restaurant with an automated menu, where you ordered from a coin-operated machine outside the restaurant. In Kyoto we had excellent ramen and in Miyajima, we had their traditional dish: okonomiyaki.

I don’t think there are enough words to describe all the beautiful and interesting things that I saw in Japan, but all in all it was an amazing place with amazing character and incredible people. Thank you so much for this opportunity…it was without a doubt the trip of a lifetime.

Photos credits: courtesy of Raquel Benito

Photo credits: Portland, Tokyo, Amsterdam

Tokyo: Fly nonstop from the past into the future.
An approximately 5 km run, the Imperial Palace jogging course is a great way to get a tour through Japanese history into modern day Japan. The route leads runners around the Imperial Palace, through the Marunouchi  business district, past the Budokan (which is home to sporting matches and concerts) and along Hibya Park. It is a great path with not too many hills, and the distance is challenging for novice runners looking to build up their strength, and a solid workout for intermediate and advanced runners. And, for those who enjoy flying at a slower pace, the route makes for a very pleasant walk.

Amsterdam: Fly through…a green lung?
When looking for a quality running workout, be sure to run through Amsterdam’s “green lung,” also known as Vondelpark. A getaway from the city, Vondelpark covers 120 acres and possesses beautiful, lush gardens; ponds, lakes, playgrounds, cafes and performance grounds. A nice, dirt path rings the park and the distance rounds out at about 5.5 km, making this green oasis a great place to turn to for a breath of fresh air (or several breaths, if you are running.)

Portland: Fly from the city to the hills.
Portland’s Forest Park is a huge network of trails, totaling at over 70 miles, and begins from the edge of Portland’s 23rd Avenue to the Tualatin Mountains. Few parts of the trails go uphill and downhill, making most of the running flat, so it is great for runners to utilize for improving pace. Home to more than 100 species of mammals and 100 species of birds, this makes for a fun, running adventure, as runners get to experience encounters with different wildlife, and glimpses of the Willamette River and downtown Portland.

So what are you waiting for? Put on those joggers and start flying!

In Kyoto, I can’t wait to see the many traditional Japanese temples that are scattered throughout the area. I’d like to see Sanjusangendo in particular, and its thousand ancient wooden statues of Kannon.

From Kyoto, we’re thinking of taking a side trip about half an hour away to the Himeji Castle. The castle is considered to be Japan’s most beautiful remaining feudal castles, and from the images that I’ve seen, it certainly seems that way.

As for our plans to see the coast, we don’t have any yet. There are so many appealing coastal towns throughout Japan, that it’s hard to find the right one. We’re looking for suggestions or hoping that we make some local friends that point us in the right direction.

Even though our plans aren’t completely sorted out, I do have three big objectives that I must do before I leave Japan: get a kimono In Kyoto, eat sushi and other Japanese delicacies straight from the Tsukiji Market, and buy a useless gadget in Akihabara – the tech Mecca of the world. The adventure is just around the corner…I cannot wait!

Fostering a culture of coffee drinking, poetry writing, and literary appreciation is the world’s largest independent book store, Powell’s Book Store. This Portland icon is conveniently located for locals and visitors alike to peruse miles of books themes from rock legend biographies to graphic novels, vegan cooking, international travel and rare books. Take a virtual tour of Powell’s:

Amsterdam couldn’t bare to separate its best bookstores from its fashion district, so relax and enjoy a good read after a tiring day of shopping.

Whether you’re hopping on the next toei train for a day of marathon shopping or to make your next business meeting, it’s important to have some literature along for the ride. Luckily, Tokyo has an assortment of curbside bookstores to fill your every literary need from poetry to murder mysteries and anime.

1.  World Customs App – iPhone

Especially if you’re a business traveler, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the local cultures and customs. The World Customs App provides a breakdown of key cultural tips right at your fingertips. And the best part? It’s free!

2.  Trip Journal – Android and iPhone

What was that great restaurant you went to that one night in that one place? In order to share your very best travel stories with your friends, it’s good to remember names and locations of the places you visited. The Trip Journal allows you to very easily document the names of locations, route your trip and share photos and tips with your friends and family.

3.  Gate Guru – iPhone

We’ve all been there. You barely make it through security with enough time to grab a bagel and get on the plane, but where do you go? If you’re not familiar with an airport, finding the perfect morning snack or quick dinner can try your patience, but happily Gate Guru removes the guessing game and keeps your patience (and blood pressure) in check. This location aware app will show you all the restaurants, clothing/tech/duty free stores and other amenities conveniently located in your departure terminal. So hold on to that patience and use the security line to find your next preferred foodie station.

4.  Zagat – Android, Blackberry and iPhone

One of the most trusted restaurant guides is not only available on iPhone and Blackberry but is making its way to Android this year as well. Zagat shares location, cost, ambiance, and reviews – a prized feature for dining in your foreign destination.

5.  Currency Converter – Palm

Not all of us are math whizzes who can easily calculate the exact conversion rate from dollars to euros, yen or rubles. Happily the Currency Converter is a quick solution, leaving you more time to decide between those two designer bags you’ve been eying.

6.  Transclick – Blackberry

With 16 languages programmed into Transclick, you’ll have a convenient translator right in your pocket or purse. Can’t find the proper train station? Break out that blackberry, submit your phrase and in minutes you’ll be one your way to your destination of choice.

7. Sit or Squat – iPhone

Laugh if you must that this made it to our top 7 list, but when you have to go, you have to go and it’s best to not stress when you’re looking for relief. This app not only informs you of the closest restrooms, but gives reviews of each location. Whether you’re looking for a quick solution or swank decor, Sit or Squat will help get you there.

Every year, the Dutch dress in their finest orange paraphernalia – the royal family colors – to celebrate the queen with song, dance, food, boating down the canals and local vendors. We’ve collected some favorite photos of the event and wonder: do you have your own photos or videos to share?

Photo credits: has_s, FaceMePLS, flabbergast_ed, has_s, has_s, ComunicaTI, Quantz, Radio Nederland Wereldomroep, Michell Zappa